ITEM PHOTO BY KATIE MORRISON
Lynn Shore’s Yordy Contreras struck out 17 batters Saturday in the Braves’ win in their opening game of the City Series.
By STEVE KRAUSE
LYNN — the Lynn Shore Braves and West Lynn Red Sox were the winners Saturday as the City Series got under way at Kiley Park.
Perhaps the dominating performance for the day was delivered by Shore’s Yordy Contreras, who pitched 5 ⅓ innings in his team’s 8-4 win over the East Lynn Reds. Contreras struck out 17 batters over 5 ⅓ innings (East Lynn’s first batter reached base via a dropped third strike).
Between Contreras’ performance and the two-strikeout performance by reliever Rafael Reyes, all 18 outs recorded by Shore pitchers came via the “K.”
Shore, by virtue of having won the City Series title last year, will be hosting the entire event this season. Shore is back in action Wednesday (5:45) against the winner of the West Lynn-Wyoma (which drew the bye in the five-team tournament) game.
In addition to his stellar pitching, Contreras also hit a 2-run homer. He was helped along in the power department by Eldrian Bonilla, whose 3-run homer in the first inning got Shore up and running. Elijah Quintana also had a big 2-run double to help the cause.
West Lynn 9, Pine Hill 4 (10 innings)
In the early game Saturday, The Hillies “made a bunch of mistakes down the stretch, and they cost us the game,” said manager Rich Avery.
David Brown started, but Juniel Guzman relieved him in the third. Nate Sisson also pitched for Pine Hill.
The Hillies actually led in the third, thianks to a 3-run homer by Guzman. Avery also said that Chris Champa played perhaps his best game, both at the plate and in the field.
“He made some unbelievable plays at third base,” said Avery.
“We had chances to win in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings,” said Avery, “but mistakes, especially on the bases, hurt us.”
The Hillies are back in action Tuesday against East Lynn (5:45). West Lynn goes tonight against Wyoma.
